Washer for vehicle-axles.



No. 706,235. Patented Aug. 5, I902.

C. &. R. L. BETHEA.

WASHER FOR VEHICLE AXLES.

(Application filed Dec. 4, 1901.\

(N 0 M 0 d e I.)

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CLARENCE BETHEA AND ROBERT LEE BETHEA, OF LITTLEROCK,

SOUTH CAROLINA.

WASHER FOR VEHIOhE AXLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 706,215, dated August 5, 1902.

Application filed December 4,1901. Serial No. 84,698. (No model.)

To (ti/Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CLARENCE BETHEA and ROBERT Lnn BETHEA, citizens of the United States, residing at Littlerook, in the county of Marion, State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Washers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to Washers for wheeled vehicles, and it has for its object to provide a washer which may be attached to the axletree and which will be held in position to close the rear end of the wheel-hub to prevent access of sand, mud, or other foreign matter thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and cheap construction which when in position will be held securely and which may be easily and quickly applied and removed.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar partsin the several Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a portion of an aXletree 5, from which projects a spindle 6, to receive the ordinary wheel-hub 7, at the rear end of which pro jects the metal hoop or band 8, which is received in the notch or slot 9, formed in-the end of the axletree, the axletree being somewhat higher than the upper face of the band or hoop. The wheel is held upon the spindle by means of the usual'axle-nut 10.

The washer employed consists of a metallic disk 11 of a diameter to fit snugly within the inclosure of the band 8, the washer having an car 18 cut therefrom and leaving a diametrical slot 12, which extends from the upper edge thereof to a point near to the lower edge to snugly receive the axletree, around which the edges of the slot fit, as shown. The axletree thus acts to close the central portion of the band 8 and the portions of the inclosure thereabove, while the washer closes the sides of the inclosure and the portion be low the axletree. The car 13 is bent rearwardly at right angles to the face of the washer, and against the under side of the ear is disposed a plate 13, in which are engaged the legs of a U-shaped clip 15, which is disposed over the axletree, nuts 16 being engaged with the legs of the clip to hold the latter in place. The end of the tongue is bent around the plate 13 to hold the latter from slipping off the'end of the tongue. With this construction it will be seen that the washer may be easily and quickly adjusted to its place and the clip as readily engaged over the axletree and with the perforations of the ear of the washer, the axl'etree and washer jointly preventing ingress of foreign matter to the inclosure of the band and to the bearing-surface of the axle-box.

It will be understood that in practice modifications of the specific construction'shown may be made'and'that any suitable materials and proportions may be usedfor the various parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is- 1. A. device of the class describedcomprising a metallic disk having a diametrical slot extending from its upper edge to a point near to its lower edge and having an car at its lower edge bent outwardly at right angles to the face of the disk, a plate disposed transversely of the under side of the tongue and having spaced perforations, and a U-shaped clip having its legs engaged through the perforations and provided with nuts to prevent withdrawal thereof.

2. The combination with an axletree and spindle, of a wheel disposed uponthe spindle and having a hub-band projecting from the inner end thereof, the axletree being higher than the band and having a slot in its end face in which the band is received, a metallic disk disposed in the end of the band and having a tongue out therefrom and a resultant diametrical slot in which the axletree is snug1yreceived,saidearbeingbentoutwardly In testimony whereof we affix our signa- I from thehface of the disk, a plate disposed tures in presence of two witnesses. against t e under side of the ear and provided with laterally-spaced perforations, and a clip A 5 disposed over the axletree and having its legs engaged through the perforations of the plate, \Vitnesses: said legs having nuts engaged therewith to J. H. SEDBERRY, prevent withdrawal thereof.- J. S; THOMPSON. 

